LONDON: McLaren will leave the all-electric Formula E championship at the end of the 2024-25 season to focus on Formula One, IndyCar and a new hypercar project from 2027 in the World Endurance Championship.
The reigning Formula One constructors champions said in a statement on Friday that the decision, after three seasons in Formula E with a team racing under the McLaren brand, followed a strategic review of activities.
“The time is right to explore other opportunities that more closely align with McLaren Racing’s overall strategic direction — including our 2027 entry into the FIA World Endurance Championship,” said McLaren CEO Zak Brown.
“For now, we are focused on setting this great team up for future success by working toward securing a new owner.”
A Formula E spokesperson raised the possibility of the partnership continuing through next year.
“We recognize that the commercial landscape in motorsport is dynamic and often subject to change,” the spokesperson added. “Despite this development, the team... is already engaged in positive discussions with potential partners and investors.
“We are confident the team will remain a strong presence in the championship, operating under a new identity if required.”
McLaren took over the British-based team from Mercedes when the German carmaker left at the end of 2022 to focus on Formula One.
The team, sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s NEOM, was founded in 2019 and ran separately, under the leadership of Ian James, to McLaren’s Formula One and IndyCar outfits. It is third overall after five rounds.
Formula E puts its global fan base at nearly 400 million.
McLaren to exit Formula E at end of the season
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McLaren to exit Formula E at end of the season
- The reigning Formula One constructors champions said in a statement on Friday that the decision, after three seasons in Formula E with a team racing under the McLaren brand
Gilgeous-Alexander leads Thunder in rout of Cavaliers
- Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30-point haul led the way, with center Chet Holmgren providing offensive support with 28 points and Luguentz Dort adding 18 points
Los Angeles: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 30 points as the Oklahoma City Thunder returned to winning ways with a 136-104 pummeling of the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday.
Two days after suffering an upset defeat by Miami on Saturday, the NBA champions ensured there would be no repeat against Cleveland as the league marked the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday with a packed slate of fixtures.
Apart from a brief spell at the start of the first quarter, Oklahoma City led throughout, building up a double-digit lead before accelerating away with a 45-point fourth quarter.
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30-point haul led the way, with center Chet Holmgren providing offensive support with 28 points and Luguentz Dort adding 18 points.
Isaiah Joe chipped in with 16 points from the bench while Aaron Wiggins finished with 12 as five Thunder players recorded double figures en route to a victory that sees Oklahoma City improve to 36-8 at the top of the Western Conference.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 19 points while four Cavs players — Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Jaylon Tyson and De’Andre Hunter — all finished with 16 points apiece.
In Monday’s other early game, Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 21 points helped the Milwaukee Bucks hold off a late rally in a 112-110 road win over the Atlanta Hawks.
Milwaukee opened a 23-point lead midway through the third quarter but a stubborn Atlanta line-up chipped away at that advantage and grabbed a slender one-point lead with just over a minute remaining before the Bucks reasserted themselves to dig out victory.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker led Atlanta’s scoring with 32 points off the bench including seven three-pointers, with Jalen Johnson finishing with 28 points for the home side.
